Handicapper Tips & Picks

None in here will ever be considered quick but 2-BELLS OF JOY just might leave the rest in her dust…at least early. She’s one of those perpetually seeking her second victory but believe, with the stretch out, that she’ll be able to take a pretty easy lead and dare the rest to catch her. 4-GYURZA didn’t handle turf in last but she was a daylight maiden winner in her previous start, while making her first dirt route attempt. Logical favorite could return to the winner’s circle with the class drop and the return to the right surface.  1-SEQUAYA, with even more starts than top choice, comes off her best effort in a long time and even finished well ahead of top choice. But she has had a nasty case of seconditis in her career and her previous attempts in route races left a lot to be desired. 

Not really sure what to think of 2-ANCIENT MAN. He’s dropping dramatically after getting trounced in last. However, that race was on turf and this gelding had some competitive races in maiden specials prior to that start. His speed figures, with the exception of last, are easily the best of those in here. But the drop is suspect. Use caution. 4-ONE ACE stretches out. It’s likely that he’ll display better speed at this distance and just might find himself alone of the lead. 1-CHERRY ORCHARD also stretches out. He’s coming off his best race yet. This could be his spot.

3-TAHOE RUN found his spot. Of course, he also found “his spot” in some previous races but couldn’t get the job done. But he is better form than ever, he just missed in his last two, and he’s completing the route-sprint-route cycle. 5-LARRY THE POET and 6-GONE AGAIN both stretch out. Gone Again finished a bit ahead of Larry the Poet in last but “Larry” was making his career debut. Both figure to display better speed today and one or the other just might steal the show.

Hopefully we’ll be back on turf today and if we are this will be a terrific race. 3-SAILING SOLO is an 8-year-old with only 17 starts to his credit but he has managed to win seven of them, including multiple stakes. As you can imagine with so few starts in six possible years of racing, he frequently runs off layoffs. He’s making only his second start of the year and his third in the last two years. But we know he runs well fresh. He looks like the best speed. If he’s ready he won’t get caught. 4-TEMPER TANTRUM is another lightly-raced runner. He’s making his first start of the year but he’s another good off layoffs. He seems most capable of challenging top pick for the lead and just might be able to put that rival away. 5-CAPTIVATING MOON could get the trip. The connections of this late runner are hoping the top pair knocks themselves out fighting for the lead. He narrowly lost his first start of the meet. Leading money winner in the field could be poised to make amends.

2-MISTER KELLY could be a bit of a surprise. His first race of the year was on turf and, even though he had nothing left late, he dueled for the lead for quite a way before folding. Although he has had success on the lawn, however, he has been better on the main track. He had some sharp drills, on dirt, going into that race. He could wake up with a bang, and at a price, in this event. 6-LATIN CASINO moves back up in class after getting claimed from last. He showed little in that recent race downstate but he has done well on this track and at this level in the past. 1-LAKE MILLS showed little in his most recent start but he finished third versus rivals somewhat similar to these in his previous start. Like that his savvy connections gave him some time off with three good drills since that race. Drops back in for a tag. Better should be expected.

Morning-line favorite 6-RISKY BOY does seem most likely. He has finished in the money in eight of his last 10 starts. You could almost say he looks like a standout in this field but he is in a non-winners of the year for a reason. 3-HATCHET CREEK owns decent speed but the pace of his last race was simply too fast. The pace of this race should be more sedate. Guessing he’ll track the early speed and try to come on a bit late. 4-IMPERIAL MOMENT was claimed back by this barn from last. They have had some luck with him in the past and even though he’s still eligible for a non-winners of four, he seems to fit in with this group.

Interesting ship in by this barn. 1-PERUVIAN LUCKY didn’t show a thing at Pimlico in last, a turf sprint at this distance, but he closed well to finish second in his only other turf sprint, though that was a maiden. However, that’s a long way to ship if you doubt the ability of your horse and his barn has always been sharp. Expecting him to be a major player in this one. Rider Julio Felix has been able to steal some races on the front end in turf sprints and he might be able to do it with 5-FAITHFUL RULER. This gelding surprised at Churchill in last, fighting for the lead every step of the way but hanging on to win by a nose. He’s likely to have some front-end company in this and he hasn’t fared that well in previous turf sprints but this could be his day. 7-ON K P is a threat on or off the pace. He finished far behind Faithful Ruler in last at Churchill but he has had some turf success. That could make the difference in this event. 

7-GETTING DOWN says catch me. Drops and moves back to the main track. She showed speed but tired in her previous two starts but seems likely to take it all the way in this one. 5-EVIE JEAN has had a lot of starts without a win but she is often competitive when running at this level. Shows speed at times but closes at other. Either way, expect her to get close. 2-TWICK OR TWEAT drops, turns back in distance, and heads back to the main track. She’s had only one competitive race so far but might show more in this very easy field.